Hernial truss.



No. 743,187. PAlENTED NOV. 3, 1903.

S. H. PHILLIS.

HERNIAL TRUSS. I APPLIGATION'IILED NOV. 19, 1902.

' NITED STATES Patented November 3, i903.

SOLOMON H. PHILLIS, OF PANA, ILLINOIS.

HERNIAL TRUSS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,187, dated November 3, 1903.

Application filed November 19, 1902. Serial No. 132,009. (No model.)

.T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SOLOMON H. PHILLIs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pana, in the county of Christian and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Truss, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to trusses, and has for its object the production of atruss which will readily and automatically respond to the different motions of the body of the patient 1 In the drawings illustrative of the inven-;

tion, in which corresponding parts are designated by like characters in all the figures, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device. Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of a portion of the flexible belt, illustrating the manner of coupling the sections. perspective view, enlarged, of the adjacent ends of the metal reinforcing-bands, illustrating the manner of coupling the adjacent ends. Fig. 4 is a plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views, enlarged, of the connecting means between the flexible belt and the undergarments of the patient.

In this improved device is comprised a flexible belt formed in two or more sections detachably coupled to enable the belt to be readily adjusted to the patient and suitably reinforced by metal plates likewise formed in two sections and adjustably coupled, a hernia pad yieldably supported from the belt, connecting means between the supporting-belt and the shoulder-supports of the patient, and adjustable connecting means between the fiexible belt and the nether garments of the patient, whereby the movements of the body of the patient will not affect or displace the hernia-pad or affect or displace the supporting-belt, while at the same time permitting the flexible belt to partake of the motions of the body of the patient Fig. 3 isa' without displacing the hernia 7 pad. The flexible belt is represented at 10 and will be formed in two sections adj ustably connected at one end, as by a buckle 11, and coupled at their other ends by a clip 12, the clip preferably formed with spurs 13 at its ends, adapted to be inserted through apertures in the adjacent ends of the belt sections and be clenched therein, as illustrated in Fig. 1. By this simple arrangement the flexible belt may be readily shortened to adapt it to the person of the patient by detaching the clip 12, severing the requisite portions of the belt, and reattaching the clip.

Partially encircling the belt 10 is a metal reinforcing-band formed in two sections 14 15, each section attached to the sections of the flexible belt by rivets 16 at their outer ends and with their adjacent ends overlapping and coupled by a slip-collar 17, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the overlapping ends and slip-collar preferably disposed opposite the clip 12, as shown. The reinforcing-strips 14 15 will be furthermore secured in place, as by loops 18 19, connecting them movably to the flexible belt-sections, the clips or loops serving to prevent lateral movement relative to the flexible belt, but permitting a certain degree of longitudinal movement between them, as will be obvious. By this arrangement the plates 14- 15 partially encircle the flexible belt only and will be of sufficient resiliency to support the flexible belt upon the body of the patient, while at the same time being sufficiently resilient to permit the necessary longitudinal movement and prevent chafing or undue cramping or stiffness of the belt.

The supporting-belt 10 will be provided with two or more straps 20 21, adapted to be connected to suitable suspension means from the shoulders of the patient, and as suspension means of this character are so well known they are not further illustrated. Any suitable suspension means may be employed, and I do not wish to be limited to any specific form which may be employed for this purpose. As many of the suspension-straps 20 21 may be employed as required, but generally two will be sufficient, as shown, and spaced apart to any required extent. The straps 2O 21 will be provided with buckles 22 23, respectively,

by which they may be adjusted longitudinally when required.

The hernia-pad is indicated at 24 and may be of any of the ordinary constructions employed for this purpose and of'any suitable shape, according to the circumstances and condition of the patient. The hernia-pad will be connected yieldably to the belt, so that the belt will be independently adjustable automatically with relation to the pad to prevent the pad being disturbed by the various movements of the patient. The supporting-frame for the pad will preferablybe of substantially U shape with the pad connected to the lower portion of the frame and the leg members connected to the belt member, with longitudinally-movable springs in the leg members to permit the requisite degree of flexibility between the pad and belt, as will be obvious. The hernia-pad-supporting frame is indicated at 25 and the spring portions at 26 27 in Fig. 1.

The means by which the nether garments of the patient are connected to the flexible belt consist in a strap member 28, extending from the garment, which is indicated at 29, and another strap member 30, connected to a clip 31, preferably provided with a hook, which is in turn attached to the belt-support, preferably to one of the plates 14 or 15, as shown, the strap 30 havinga buckle 32, adapted to be connected to the strap-section 28. By this simple means the garment 29 is adjustably connected to the flexible belt in position to be readily detached therefrom when required. By this arrangement the flexible belt will be firmly supported in place and prevented from vertical movement relative to the'patient and will not be affected or displaced by any of the movements of the body. This is a very important feature of the invention and is essential to the effective operation of the device, as the flexible belt will be retained in position at all times and will not displace the hernia-pad, no matter what position the patient may assume.

The whole device is very efficient and will automatically adjust itself to all the varying motions and conditions under which it is required to operate.

Much difficulty has been heretofore experienced from the tendency of the belt to move upward with the body of the patient after a forward or reclining position; but with the improvement herein illustrated applied all such tendency is counteracted by means of the adjustable strap 28 30. This attachment retains the belt in position without increase of pressure upon the pad. This is an important feature of the invention, as no movement of the body will increase the pressure of the pad, thus securing a uniform pressure upon the pad independentlyof the movements of the body. I

The whole device may be very simply and cheaply constructed and easily applied and adjusted and may be made of any desired material and of any desired strength or size re-' quired.

The straps 20 and 21 and 28 and 30 maybe partially or wholly of elastic material, as may be required, or otherwise adapted to be automatically adjustable and yieldable.

The parts may be modified in minor details without affecting the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- In a truss, a flexible belt formed in two sections, means for detachably coupling said sections at one side of the belt, means for adjustably connecting said sections at the opposite side of the belt, reinforcing springplate sections connected longitudinally to said flexible belt-sections, means for adjustably coupling the adjacent ends of said plates, and a pad supported from said belt, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SOLOMON II. PI-IILLIS.

Witnesses:

J. S. VEEDER, J. E. REESE. 

